ELKHART -- Bertram T. "Bert" Hutkins, 86, of Elkhart, died at 3:25 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, at Woodland Manor following a brief illness.

He was born Aug. 1, 1924, in Bayonne, N.J., to the late George and Margaret G. (Howlett) Hutkins. On May 29, 1948, in Bayonne, N.J., he married the former Mary R. Collins. She died Dec. 2, 1998, in Elkhart.

Bert is survived by his daughters, Margaret R. Rose of Elkhart and Mary T. Pierson (and her life partner, Maureen Bowersox) of Dublin, Ohio, and sons Thomas J. Hutkins of Elkhart, Edward P. (Kay) Hutkins of Mishawaka and William C. "Bill" (Cora) Hutkins of Elkhart. Four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and his brother, Sam (Laura) Hutkins of Belmont, Calif., survive, as well.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Bernice Erickson and Sandra Castilow.

Mr. Hutkins retired in 1986 as the business manager at Whitehall Laboratories in Elkhart. He was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and was a past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 1043 in Elkhart. Prior to joining the Navy in 1943, he worked constructing Motor Torpedo Boats (PTs) including JFK's PT 109. He went on to serve until 1946 in the South Pacific Theater as a radioman on the PT 169, in which he installed the engines prior to enlisting. Bert was active in the Elkhart Civic Theater and an avid ND and NY Yankee fan.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, where a vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Friends may also call for a half-hour prior to the 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, Oct. 15, 2010, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St., Elkhart, with the Rev. William Sullivan officiating. Graveside services and burial with military honors by the U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard and DAV Chapter 19 will follow at Prairie Street Cemetery in the veteran's section.

Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association or St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

Please visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences